Rating: 
Summary: What a great read!
Review: This book was extremely well written--a well crafted tale that kept me interested until the very end. Sue Miller really gets to the heart of the issues when betrayal is considered, thwarted, but yet the commitment between two married people is still compromised. This is much the same theme as "Indecent Proposal", but yet much more interesting. Please consider this page-turner.
Rating: 
Summary: I LOVED this Book!
Review: This was one of those rare books that I couldn't put down! Sue Miller is a very descriptive writer, so you can actually "see" what she is writing about which makes the story seem so much more realistic. I really grew to like the main character Jo. She seems to be someone you find yourself relating to in various ways - although you are glad you are not in her shoes in some instances. A very well written book with an amazing twisting and turning story.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm surprised Oprah liked it!
Review: The author writes in excruciating (but not interesting) detail. She writes about the main character's every move throughout the day... maybe it's part of the moral of the story, but I found it boring. It was also hard to sympathize with the main character. I could see where the writer was going in terms of the message she wanted to communicate, but I think the story was poorly told.
Rating: 
Summary: While I was Gone
Review: With all the press surrounding this books it was one of the few Oprah book club books that I was disappointed in. Although I enjoyed the story immensly, I felt that it was dragged out, and difficult to read a lot at a time. I never really got the feeling that we knew Jo, or what she was really feeling. Sadie got mad at her, wigged out to her father (a character that could have, and should have been better developed) and then nothing, Jo sent a letter to her....did she ever respond? this is critical. While I Was Gone, didn't seem finished to me. It had great potential, but didn't really go where it could have.
Rating:
Summary: A REAL PAGE TURNER
Review: It seems that Jo has the perfect husband, the perfect family, a wonderful home and a great career, but she is willing to risk it all because she thinks that something is missing in her life. I found this story to be at times very realistic, as she describes her emotions and how she felt about her life, and her past. And yet quite disturbing as she goes after what she thinks will make her happy and the shocking outcome of it all.
Rating: 
Summary: Please....stay "GONE"
Review: Once again I have been dissapointed by one of Oprah's selections. This book was dull and boring. Jo is an aging hippy turned vet, and her husband, who was once her "savior", Jo for some reason doesn't appreciate him. (He is VERY boring, but kind, however he's the type that would make you pull every hair out of your head, he's just that dull!! So in this regard I understand her desire to "roam" like one of her passionate pups!) Her girls, expect for the youngest are obnoxios snots. Her past is boring too. Living with a bunch of silly, over-educated, but can't find a real job jerks! And what was that sillness of not wanting those housemate to know her real name! While living with the housemates, the author seemed to touch on a lesbian theme, with Jo and Dana, but then couldn't decide if she wanted to go in that direction. She eventually choose not to go "there". All that broohaha about Eli was riduculous! Jo wasn't very attracted to him 30 years ago, so why now? The whole book is a garbled mess, the charactors are dull and lifeless and you don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from any of them. The best part of the book is when Jo plays with her dogs. At least she likes animals! I hope that Oprah's pick "The Poisonwood Bible" is better, if not, I'm on my own, I can "do bad" by myself! Don't waste 10 cents on this stupid book!
Rating:
Summary: Serious examination of marriage.....
Review: In this case, it's a woman having a midlife crisis. Sue Miller's protagonist Jo has everything a woman could want...a terrific career, caring husband, three kids and dogs to match each one. And yet...there is something she pines for...what she doesn't know. As it turns out, she pines for the "potential" of her younger self and it returns in a vengence when one of her former housemates appears and carries with him a secret about the murder of a friend. I was totally with this story as it developed but the aftermath seems a bit forced....I think the book rather petered out and there are some flaws. Jo's falling in lust with Eli (who comes off much worse than her loving husband) seems far-fetched, even given the fact that he represents the younger Jo. One thing I really enjoyed was Sue Miller's depiction of Jo's daughters. For once, the family does not get along totally. Her daughters argue with Jo, consider her too old for words and generally treat her like dirt. Called me perverse but that I loved. Recommended....a nice read.
Rating:
Summary: Quick Read...but not great!
Review: I have read many of Oprah's picks, and I agree with the other reviewers, this book doesn't fit in with her usual type of choices...perhaps you'd like that, and that is what sells you on this one!For me, the book was a quick read, but it was also predictable and not at all inspiring or very fun. I found that I didn't respect the main character Jo, and it's hard to keep reading after that. You don't feel sorry for her when she feels sorry for herself. Most of this women's actions were selfish and frankly stupid...and that does not make for a very good heroine in a novel (for me). I will say that I did enjoy the beginning of the book (thus the 3 stars...perhaps a little generous?). I found her life in the "hippy commune" to be fun and interesting, but after that...I am not so sure. It is lacking something, and I am not sure what...perhaps a character with a backbone?? I have a friend that reads books along with me, and she felt the same way..."starts out strong and interesting, but leaves you flat".
Rating:
Summary: slow
Review: the first couple chapters and the last couple chapters were interesting, but the middle just dragged on. The only reason the last few chapters were good is because I was anticipating something more and was disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: While I was gone, I didn't look forward to finishing this bo
Review: Just finished this book. The characters were wishy washy and not believable. It made light of a violent death. I was surprised it was on Opraha's list. The main character has no spine. She does weird things that hurt people. She lives her life in a dream world and only thinks of herself. This is a wimpy book. Easy to put down and not pick up again. I felt I didn't want to know this woman. The book was mildly entertaining. I would not recommend it to anyone. I'm with Daniel, He threw a tomato. It was rotten.
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